It's hard not to be envious of a woman who can turn a blank space into a fascinating, art-packed apartment in just under a year, but then again, not all folks can claim as many creative hats as Amber. As the associate director of a hip Los Angeles art gallery and the owner of one of the most authentic spots to find secret art gems in Austin, Amber's got a lot of resources to pull from in creating her beautiful home — and a whole lot of natural style, too.

Upon learning the names of the two very prominent pets of the home — the pudgy black and white cat named Pigeon (though previously known as Maiden of Anarchy) and Paper, the turtle — you realize what a warm, fun, and laughter-filled home Amber shares with her intelligent and polite 15-year-old son Angelo. All of that is to say that you don't need to fill a home with a lot of stuff when you've got so much people (and pet) personality. Luckily, Amber understands the less-is-more theory quite well: walls are white, furnishings are simple and the real color and interest comes from the stunning array of art from friends and clients.

It doesn't hurt that the apartment they live in is one of many in a neighborhood filled with 1940s structures full of charm — did you get a look at that great kitchen floor? Amber's done a brilliant job of respecting the character of the structure and melding modern details seamlessly with existing style.